Rigid foam insulation around uneven stone foundations can definitely be a bit of a puzzle. I ran into the same issue renovating an older home last year—those charming old basement walls had more twists and turns than a mystery novel. Spray foam would've been easier for sure, but since I was trying to keep things as eco-friendly as possible, I stuck with rigid foam and just got creative.
Here's what worked for me: first, I made cardboard templates of the trickiest spots. Then, I transferred those shapes onto the foam boards and used a serrated bread knife (seriously, it cuts like butter) to carve out custom pieces. Took some patience and probably more coffee than I'd like to admit, but it ended up fitting pretty snugly. Any gaps left over, I filled with low-expansion spray foam—a little messy, but manageable.
Honestly though, your spray foam approach makes total sense too—sometimes practicality wins out over perfection, especially when dealing with older homes.
Nice job with the cardboard templates—wish I'd thought of that when I tackled mine. Ended up eyeballing everything and had to redo a few spots. But hey, messy or not, at least we're keeping those old basements cozy and dry, right?
Totally agree, cardboard templates are a lifesaver. I learned the hard way too—first time around, I eyeballed it and ended up with gaps big enough to drive a truck through. Another thing I found helpful is using recycled denim insulation. It's eco-friendly, handles moisture surprisingly well, and doesn't itch like fiberglass. Plus, it's nice knowing you're keeping waste out of landfills while keeping your basement dry... win-win, right?
Cardboard templates saved me from a DIY disaster too—my first insulation job looked like Swiss cheese. Denim insulation sounds interesting, though I've always stuck with cork panels...they're sustainable and handle humidity pretty well. Might give denim a shot next time around.
"Denim insulation sounds interesting, though I've always stuck with cork panels...they're sustainable and handle humidity pretty well."
Cork's decent, but honestly, in flood-prone areas, I'd be cautious. Once cork gets saturated, drying it out thoroughly can be tricky. Closed-cell spray foam might be pricier upfront, but it's unbeatable for moisture resistance and peace of mind.
